Hexagonal game board for checkers and the like



March 12, 1929. BEAMAN 1,704,819

HEXAGONAL GAME BOARD FOR CHECKERS AND THE LIKE Filed Oct. 21, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l .QQQQOQQDQ. /////..Q...IG5 7//// ZZ///// //////OOQOQOQQ 00 A mxxxx'eaf 10m 7 mm,

8 I INVENTOR.

54 BY fW/F 55/7/71 33 d ZWAQ ATTORNEY HEXAGONAL GAME BOARD FOR CHECKERS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 21. 1926 I e /a.. w, J

e a a 9 a t IN V EN OR. Zw f :7 5 /7/70 M ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES J'AY F. BEAMAN, F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

HEXAGONAL GAME BOARD FOR CHECKERS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed October 21, 1926. Serial No. 143,040.

My invention relates to game-boards pro viding surfaces on which checkers, chess, and similar games are arranged to be played.

An object of the invention is to provide a game-board of the character described having neutral zones disposed about a playing field, said zones being provided for certain uses in a game played on the board.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game-board of the character described so arranged that the advance of any man initially placed in a neutral zone into the playing field may be over a different path than that of any other man from said zone.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of my invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood,

however, that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the 2.3 preferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan View of a board embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a view showing one form of initial setup of a set of men as for a checker game, only a portion of the board being shown.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another. possible initial set-up for checkers.

Fi ure4 is a view of another form of the boar having diagrammatically indicated thereon the playing ranges or commands of different pieces in a chess game as played on the board.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are reduced fragmentary views of portions of the board disclosing different possible initial set-ups of the various pieces as for chess games.

In the embodiment of the invention herewilhcparticularly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the game area 8 of the game-board 9 is so shaped as to present in contour a hexagon, the area thus defined having delineated thereon hexagonal spaces 11 separated by 'triangular spaces 12. As here shown, the

spaces 11 are alike as to shape and area, are

similar in shape to the game area 8 and are dis osed in corner-to-corner relation with eac other whereby the triangular spaces 12 are defined between them. By positioning the spaces 11 with their sides parallel to the corresponding sides of the area 8, outer rows 14 thereof may be disposed with outer and corresponding sides of adjacent spaces lying in the boundary lines of the area 8, a common space 16 of coterminous rowsbeing disposed at and defining each corner of the area 8. It will now be noted that the area 8 and spaces 11 are here shown of regular hexagonal shape, so that the triangular spaces 12 are equilateral.

The spaces 11, it will be noted, are here shown arranged to serve as the playing spaces for the reception of the men or pieces to be used in the game, and, owing to the corner contacts of such spaces, which determine the directions of movement, shifting of a man or piece from a given space may be initiated in as many as six directions from the starting space, the number of directions allowed depending on the position of the man in the game area and the rules of the particular game. In order to clearly indicate the different spaces, the spaces 11 and 12 are preferably differentiated as by a difference in color or depth of color, the spaces 12 being here indicated as of distinctly darker color than the spaces 11.

The game area 8, it will now be noted, is-

divided into a centrally disposed playing area 17 and neutral areas or zones 18, the latter being preferably symmetrically grouped about and defining the playing area. As here shown, each neutral zones 18 comprises" a group of spaces 11 lying adjacent the edge of the game area, each of said groups having any desired outline. \Vhen, as here shown, six neutral areas 18 of rhombus shape are provided to include the corner spaces 16, as corners thereof, the playing area 17 will be substantially of the form of a regular six-pointed star. In order to define the neutral areas, the s aces 11 included therein are preferably distinguished from the remaining spaces 11 and the triangular spaces 12 by a difference of coloring or depth of coloring.

As here shown, six-pointed stars 19 are delineated in the corner spaces 16, such stars being differently colored or marked from each other and in accordance with the distinguishing colors or marks of different sets of men to be used in the game-board. The central playing space 21-may if desired, be made to function in some special way in a colored star 22 delineated therein. The cor-- ner stars 19, it will now be noted, are preferably, for the purpose of maintaining the symmetrical arrangement of the parts of the game area, disposed in corresponding position to that of the star shaped center space 21.

It will now be noted that the game-board of my invention readily lends itself to the playing of such games as checkers and chess thereon with but slight modification in the usual rules of these games, and at the same time permits the simultaneous playing of as many as six different sets of men or pieces by as many players. Referring particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that in this figure is shown one primary set-up of checkers men 22 whereby such usual twelve men are played as from the adjacent corner 23, it being noted that seven of the men are primarily disposed in the neutral space 24 at such corner. Each of the seven men would be regularly played out of its set-up position into the playing field in the moving direetions allowed a man in the playing area, but would not ordinarily reenter such neutral space or an opponents neutral space. In a game using the present set-up, three directions of movement are allowed a man, as is illustrated by the dotted arrows in the figure, while a king would obviously be allowed the three reverse directions of movement as well, subject only to the limitations imposed by the neutral spaces. It will, of course, be evident that two, three, four or six sets of men may be simultaneously played on the board with their primary setups symmetrically disposed about and in the playing field.

The rules for playing a checker game on the present board generally follow those of the original game of checkers for two opponents, certain modifications being made however in view of the conditions arising in such game and in the use of the present board provided with the so-called neutral zones. Twelve .men are provided for each player, the men of each set being preferably differently colored or otherwise distinguished. To bring out the method of playing a game on the board, the essential rules of play for a checker game using the set-up of Figure 2 will now be given.

The players may be two, three, four, or six in number. When four play, each may play singly or two, as partners, may play against the other two. When six play, they may play singly or as three pairs of partners, or as three against three. lVhen only two are engaged, they take their places at opposite corners of the board and move alternately. When three are engaged, they take their places at alternate corners of the board so as to leave unoccupied corners between the players, When four are playing, two sit at adjacent corners and two at the opposite adjacent corners, leaving an unoccupied corner at each side. Each player uses the pieces colored to correspond with that of the corner at which he sits. Partners sit side by side and the play goes around the board to the left, the choice as to the first play being made by lot or in some other manner.

The rows of touching spaces or spots 11 are called files. The row of spots from a corner of the board to the corner opposite is called a direct file for the iilayers sitting at those corners. The other les arallel to this file are also direct files. The files parallel to the sides of the board adjacent to a players corner are called his diagonal files. Those parallel to the side at his right are called right diagonals and those parallel to the side at his left are called left diagonals. The playing field is called the great star. The moves, being always along the files, are defined as direct and diagonal, according to the file which they follow, and, if diagonal, as left or right according to the direction of motion. Also both direct and diagonal movesmay be forward or back.

A simple move is made by moving a piece from the spot on which it stands to an adjacent unoccupied spot in the same file. A

capturing move is made, exactly as in the old game, by jumping a piece over an opponents ad acent piece in the same file to an unoccupied spot just beyond, the opponents piece being captured and. removed from the board. A leaping move is made by jumping a piece over a partners piece, exactly as in the capturing move, but leaving the partners piece on the board.

As in the old game, a man can move forward only, but,after he becomes a king, he can move backward also. In this game, the center spot, or star, is a king spot for all the players and a man occupying this spot becomes a king. A man may also become a king by occupying a spot at either point of the great star ad acent to the corner opposite his starting corner.

To start the game, each player sets up a man in each of the nearest four spots of his three central direct files. He now has seven men in his neutral field and fivemen in the playing field. The neutral zone is used only for set-ups and once left, cannot be again entered except as hereinafter noted.

\Vhen'an opponents piece stands on a spot within the playing field adjacent to a players piece, in the direction of the move, and has adjacent to it, in the same file, a vacant spot within the playing field, then the opponents piece must be jumped and captured and if at the end of this capturing jump the same condition is found, another jump and capture must be made-and so on, as long as opponents men are found subject to capture in this way, the move not being complete until all the pieces subject to capture have been captured. If captures in two or more directions are offered at the same time, the direction in which the capture is begun or continued is optional with the player.

- When a partners piece stands on a spot within the playing field adjacent to a players piece, in the direction of the move, and has adjacent in the same file, a vacant spot within the playing field, then the leaping move to the vacant spot may be made and if at this s ot the same condition is found, another ump may be made and so on as long as partners pieces are found in place for these leaping moves. All leaping moves over a partners pieces are optional with the player. A leaping move over a partners piece must continue as a capturing move over an oppoents piece if the leaping move has brought the players piece to a point where a capturing move is possible. A capturing move may continue as a leaping move over a partners piece at the option of the player.

A man terminating his move in a king spot becomes a king and acfiuires the privilege of moving backward. king spot in the course ofa leaping 0r capturing move, does not make him a king unless his move terminates there and his move can' not terminate there if a capturing move is oflects to capture on a succeeding move, the

fered.

If a player neglects to make a capture when a capture or captures are offered, his adversary may hufi'. To hufl" is to remove from the board the piece with which he (the player) should have captured but did not. The hufi' is not a move. The adversary not only removes the offending piece, but moves one of his own pieces also. Hufi' and move go together and the buff must precede the,

move. I

The players or layer win whose man or men remain on t e board, the opponents men having all been either captured or blocked so that no legal move remains for them to make.

lVith respectto the neutral zones, men standing therein may not be captured but may be moved only forwardly from their stations. The neutral zone may not be reentered by any piece except it be a players last remaining piece in a final capturing move over the last opposing piece. When a the pieces are reduced to two opposing kings,

moves along a predetermined set of parallel file's are barred for ,such pieces and a capturing jump into the neutralzone is then permitted for terminating the game. This use of the neutral zone is a particularly important feature of the present game in prentering the central venting drawn games and at the same time introduces a new strategic element into the game. v

If a player whose turn it is to play touches a piece he must move it, unless, prior to touching it, he intimates his intent to adjust it. If the piece touched cannot be legally moved, there is no penalty. A move is completel when the hand is withdrawn from the piece played. If a piece is moved over the angle of the spot on which it stands, the adversary may require the move to be completed in that direction. If a player makes a false or illegal move, the adversary may require the piece to make its proper move in either direction he pleases, or he may allow the false move to stand. If a player captures his own or his partners piece, the adversary may have it replaced or not at his option. If more than one iece can be captured at one move and the p ayer removes his hand from the capturing piece while any of the capturable pieces are untaken, the player is liable to be hufl'ed. When a 'player advances a man to king, his adversary must crown.

If a player neglects to capture when able, his adversary may allow the move to stand, or compel the capture, or hufi' the piece that should have captured. If a player entitled to huff touches the adverse piece that should have captured, he must huff. If he moved without huffing, he cannot huff afterward; but, if the adversary again neg- .player has again the option of huffing.

In Figure 3 is shown another setup for checkers wherein the player moves his men, 31 as from a side 32 of the game area. In this setup, it will be noted that three men are intially disposed in each of two adjacent neutral zones 33 and 34 and that two directions of movement are ordinarily allowed a man, as is indicated by means of the dotted arrows, a king having four possible directions of movement. This setup also permits the playing of more than two sets of men, and the previously given rules may be used in playing a game thereon.

In the embodiment of the game-board disclosed in Figures 4 to 7, it will be noted that, while the game area 41 thereof is also of hexagonal outline, circular, rather than hexagonal, spaces 42 separated by generally triangular spaces 43 are delineated thereon. Each of the inner spaces 42', it will be noted, is mutually tangent to six others, while the spaces of the outer row while tangent to the adjacent inner spaces are also tangent to and determine the boundary line 44 of the game area. As in the previously described embodiment, groups of the spaces 42 at the corners of the game area are difi'erentiated from the remaining spaces to provide neutral zones 46, the playing area 47 thus defined between the neutral zones again being that of a six-pointed star, it being now, of course, evident that this form of the game-board presents the same playing possibilities as the other.

In order to indicate the use of the board of my invention for playing chess, difl'erent possible primary setups of men on the board shown in Figure 4 are illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, it being noted, however, that such setups may as readily be made on the board of Figure 1. For convenience, the various pieces are lettered with the initials indicating their namesthus, the king by K, the queen by Q, the bishop by B, the knights by Kt, the rooks by R, and the pawns by P. Figure 5 discloses an initial setup when but two players are to engage in the game, Figure 6 discloses a primary setup for a three-handed game, while Figure 7 shows a primary setup when six are to play.

It will now be noted -that the movement of chess pieces in accordance with the rules for chess played on a standard squarespaced chess board may be simply applied to the present board without serious alteration thereof. Thus, for example, the king may, in general, move one space in any one of six directions, his area of activity. or command, thus being a hexagon in outline, as indicated in Figure 4 by the dotted line 48, while the queen is permitted six lines of movement radiating to the edges of the playing area for her command, as indicated in Figure 4 by the dotted lines 49. The

commands of the other pieces may be similarly determined, following the general chess rules for their movement, and keeping in mind the fact that as many as six players may be engaged on the board. The rules relating to the use of the neutral zones may be as for checkers or otherwise, as may be desired.

I claim: a

1. A game-board arranged for the movement of playing pieces thereover as in checkers or chess and having delineated thereon a symmetrical game area divided into like shaped contacting spaces for the reception of said pieces, certain groups of said spaces which are symmetrically related to the geometric center of said area being designated as non-playing spaces and being arranged to receive certain of said pieces in an initial setup whereby said men may each be played therefrom onto the remaining spaces over a different path and the remaining spaces defining a star-shaped playing area.

2. A game board for the purpose described providing a game area having rows of like and symmetrically shaped contacting spaces for the reception of player pieces and so related as to provide substantially blank spaces between them, certain like shaped groups of said spaces which are symmetrically related to the geometric center of said area being colorably differentiated from the remaining spaces and designated as neutral zones for limited use in the herein described manner, and the remainder of said first spaces cooperating to define a playing field defining a regular star in outline.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Oakland, California, this 2nd day of October, 1926.

JAY F. BEAMAN. 

